Curtain-hoisting apparatus.



MR [Memes PATENTBD FEB: 26, 190?. 1. ESKMJSSON.

CURTAIN HOISTING APPARATUS.

APPLIGATION FILED APR. 23. 1906.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

4 IL m 5 513 A SHOLIHH PATENTED FEB. 26, 1907.

T. ESKILSSON. CURTAIN HOISTING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APILZS. 1906.

No. 845,731. PATENTED FEB. 26, 1907. T. ESKILSSON. CURTAIN HOISTINGAPPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 23. 1906.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

- S14v0 1 1 to:

WON -14c was 'i i f N0. 845,731. PATENTBD FEB. 26. 1907.

' T. ESKILSSON.

CURTAIN HOISTING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR.23. 1906.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

INVENTOR 'THEODOR ESKILSSON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CURTAIN-HOISTING APPARATUSi;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 26, 1907.

Application filed April 23, 1906- Serial No. 313,137

To aZZ whom it may concern/.-

Be it known that I, THEODOR ESKILSSON, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of the city of New York, in the county and State of NewYork, United States of America, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in (urtain-Hoisting Apparatus, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to a hoisting apparatus, and is especiallyadaptable for use in raisin and lowering curtains 1n theaters.

t consists in novel construction and ar rangement of parts, which willbe fully described in the following specification, and the novelfeatures thereof pointed out in claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of astage, showing my improved hoisting apparatus used in conjunctiontherewith. Fig. 2 is a plan view of some of the parts shown in Fig. i. 3shows my improved apparatus in side elevation, and Fig. 4 is an endelevation of the parts shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a sectional viewof anelectromagnetic clutch which T use in carrying out my invention. Fig. 6is end elevation, partly in section, of an electric brake, also used incarrying out my invention. Fig. 7 is a side elevation, partially insection, of an automatic cut-0d or stop-motion switch. Fig. 8 is asectional plan view of a push-button controller-switch for controllingthe apparatus, and Fig. 9 is a wiringdiagram of a preferred form. ofelectrical circuits.

like characters of reference designate corresponding parts inall of thefigures and the specification.

10 designates a stage.

11 is a proscenium.

12, l3, and 14 designate curtains which are adapted to be moved up anddown in front of the proscenium. These curtains are connected, by meansof ropes or cables 12*, 13, and 14:, to rollers 17, 1'8, and 19, afterpassing over supporting-sheaves at 15 and guiding-sheaves at 16. Thechain-wheels 17 18, and 19 are rigidly connected to the shafts of'therollers 17, 18', and-19 and arranged to rotate with the rollers. Chains17 18 and 19 are arranged to pass over these chain-wheels and down tothe hoisting apparatus, which I will now describe.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, 20 design ates an electric motor, the shaft21 of which is arranged to drive a shaft in one direction by beingsuitably connected to it by means of a belt or chain 22 and to drive ashaft in the opposite direction by being connected to it by gears 23, acounter-shaft 24, and a chain or belt 25. The gears 23 may be soproportioned as to cause the shaft 40 to rotate at the same rate ofspeed as that of the shaft 30, or, if desired, they may be arranged tocause the rotation of shaft 40 to be greater or less than that of shaft30. Mounted upon the shafts 30 and 40 are a series of electromagneticclutches, (designated in the drawings by so, so: 60 60 and 60 One ofthese magnetic clutches is shown somewhat in detail in Fig. 5. let us,for example, consider this the clutch designated in Fig. 3by 60-. All ofthese clutches are of substantially the same construction, so that adescription of one of them will he suiiicient to fully explain this partof the invention. A magnet member 61 is ri idly mounted upon the shaft30. This meml". er may be held in place by means of a key 61 and acollar 61 The magnet member 61 is of course composed of a magneticmaterial, such. as iron. A coil or winding is placed rritlt-in thismagnet member, and its terminals 62 and 62 are connected tocollector-rings 63 and 64, upon which crushes 63 and 64*- hear. A.secondary memlcer 65 is loosely mounted upon the shaft 36 in closeproximity to the magnet memh er 61, and this portion 65 constitutes anarms.- ture for the magnet 61. The parts 61 and 65 may he arranged to beheld apart by means of a slip-ring 66, which may be pressed outward loysprings 66. When the parts are thus pressed apart, the magnet memlter 61will rotate with shaft 36, but the secondary or armature member 65 willremain at rest. To insure this part 65 remaining at rest during certainparts of the operation of this device, a hralre 70 is provided. is shownsomewhat in detail in Fig. 6. comprises brake-shoes 71 71, which aremounted upon pivoted levers 72 72 and which are pressed against aportion 67 of the secondary member 65 by means of springs 7 3 73. A inagnet 7 4 is provided for the purpose of releasing this hrake. Thismagnet comprises a winding 75 and two magnetic cores 76 76, which areconnected to the pivoted brake-arms 72 '72, as shown. When a current ispassed through the solenoid-winding 75, the magnet 74 is energizedthereby, and the cores 76 76 are attracted toward each other against theaction of the springs 73 73. This will cause the pivoted brake-arms 7272 This brake 70 to be moved in such a manner as to release thebrake-shoes 71 71 from the portion 67 of the secondary member of themagnetic clutch 60. 1f a current is sent through the winding 62 of themagnet member 65, the latter will be energized thereby and will causelines of force to be set up in the magnet member. The magnetic path forthese lines will be completed through the secondary or armature member65, and this will cause the latter to be strongly attracted to anddrawn, toward the magnet member 61. The two parts 61 and 65 will thenhave a tendency to move together, and the secondary portion 65 willtherefore be driven by the magnet member 61. The electrical circuits arearranged, as will appear later, so that the brake and the magnet member61 will be energized at the same time. As soon as the current is cut offfrom the windings 62 and the magnet member will become denergized andthe brake will be applied. This will cause the driving force to beremoved from the secondary member 65 and the brake to be applied to it,so that the member 65 will come to rest. The secondary member 65 isprovided with a groove 68, as shown, for the purpose of receiving achain which passes partly around this member. The

chain 17 passes over this chain-groove in the.

clutch 60, as is shown in Figs. 3 and 4. It has already been pointed outthat the chain 17 passes over a chain-pulley 17", which is attached tothe roller 17. It then extends down to the clutch 60 and around aportion of the chain-groove in this clutch 60, thence over a portion ofan idler 17 thence across a chain-groove in clutch 60*; similar to thatjust described, and thence down and under a second idler 17, which isrigidly supported to the 'fioor or other portion of the building. Thechain 17 thencepasses up to the chainsheave 17. interposed in theportion of this chain which lies between the slteave 17 D and the sheave17 may be a counterweight 17 arranged to balance or partially balancethe weight of the curtain 12, and a turn: buckle 17 arranged to take upthe slack in chain 17 In Fig. 7 I have shown an automatic cutoff orstop-motion switch 80. This com prises a base 81, oi slate or othersuitable insulating material, two stationary contacts 82 and 83, and acontact-arm 84, which is pivoted at 85 and from which an arm 86 extends.A spring 87 is arranged in such a way that it tends to hold thecontactarm 84 in contact with stationary contacts 82 and 83. The arm 86is placed in the path of travel of the counterweight and is so arrangedthat when the counterweight approaches the limit of its travel it willstrike the arm 86 and cause the pivoted contactarm 84 to be moved out ofcontact with the stationary contacts 82 and 83. Two of these automaticstop-motion switches may be used in connection with each counterweightand'may be placed in relation to the counterweights and their connectedparts, as is shown in Fig. 1. In this case the lower stopmotion switchesare shown in their opened position and the upper stop-motion switchesare shown in their closed position.

The operation of this device is obvious for it may be seen by referringto Fig. 1 that when the counterweight 17 is at its lowest position itwill open the stop-motion switch 80, which is in its path of travel.When the counterweight 17 reaches the upper limit of its travel, it willstrike the projecting arm of the stop-motion switch 80, which is therelaced in its path of travel and will cause the atter switch to beopened.

In Fig. 8 I have shown a port-ion of a manually-operated switch orpush-button device 90. This comprises a base 91, of slate or othersuitable insulating material. The push-button 92 at the left-handportion of this figureis shown in its depressed position, in which caseit has compressed a spring 97 and caused a contact-plate 93, which is0011- nected to but insulated from a stem 97, which is connected to thepush-button 92, to be moved into contact with two stationary contacts 93-and 93 94 designates a stationary bracket to which an arm 9 11 ispivoted at 94 When thepush-button 92 is depressed, as is shown in Fig.8, the stem or rod 97, to which the push-button 92 and itsmovab'lep'arts are connected, is in contact with the pivoted arm 94' andis arranged to swing the latter arm about its pivot into the position inwhich it is shown in the drawing. 95 designates another push-buttonsimilar to that just described; but in this case its contact-plate 96 ismoved away by spring 98 from the stationary contacts 96" and 96 withwhich it is adapted to coact. It may be seen that this push-buttoncannot be de pressed a sufficient amount to allow the contact-plate 96to be brought into contact with the stationary contacts 96 and 96 aslong as the contact-plate 93 is held against the stationary contacts 93and 93 on account of the relative position of the pivoted arm 94 to thestem 97 and the stem 98". The portion of the push-button device 90,which is shown in Fig. 8, is merely that of one pair of buttons. As manypairsof these buttons as desired may be used in carrying out myinvention as the number of curtains or similar devices to be operated bythis device.

Referring now to Fig. 9, I will describe the various electrical circuitsthere shown and at the same time point out the operation of such partsof my invention as has not already been fully described. and designatemains from a suitable source of electrical supply, which after passingthrough a main-line switch 100 are connected to vasl ow n.directly.connected by a" conductor 101 to one of the brushes ofthe'armature 26 and to the right-hand portion of the shuntfield 27. Thepositive main is shown connected by a conductor 1.02 to the left-handportion of. the shunt-field 27. 103 designates a manually-operatedswitch, which when closed is arranged to connect a solenoid 104 directlyacross the two mains. This solenoid is arranged when energized to attract its core 105 against the action of a dashpot 106 and to move aswitch-arm 107 onto and across the contacts of a variable rheostat 108.The armature 26 is connected to the switch-arm 107, so that when theoperation just described takes place the motor-armature will receivecurrent from the main lines, which current will be gradually increasedas the switch-arm 107 is moved across the contacts of the rheostat 108.The motor may be startedin any desired manner or by any otherarrangement 01 parts; but as this constitutes no part of my invention 1will not describe it more fully.

The push-button device 90 may be situated at any convenient placeas, forexample,

near the proscenium of a stage, as is shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 9 it isshown as comprising three pairs of push-buttons. @ne terminal of eachofthese buttons is connected by conductors 101 and 101 to the negativemain. Now if an operator pushes the button he will complete a circuitthereby from the negative main through the conductor 116,solenoid-winding 1-11 of an electromagnetic relay 110, and to thepositive main through conductor 102", which is connected to the otherend of this solenoid. The S0l1101( 111 will thereby be energized andwill raise its core 112 and a contact-plate 1 13, which is connected toit. The contact-plate 113 will thereby be brought into contact with andwill bridge stationary contacts 114 and 115. The contact 111'isconnected to the positive main by means of the conductor 102 and.contact 115 is-connected by conductor 117 through stop-motion switch 80,magnet-winding 02, and brake-windings 75 and 75 to the negative main. Inthis manner the brakes 70 of the clutches 60 and 60 will be released andthe magnet member 61 of the clutch 60 will be energized. As this magnetmember is positively driven by the motor 20 in one direction thesecondary member 65 will now be driven in the same direction and willcause the chain 17 B to be driven thereby in one di rection. Thismovement of chain 17 will be transmitted through the parts previouslydescribed to the curtain 12 and will continue as long as the circuitthrough the electromagnetic relay 1 10 is completed. This circuit may bebroken either by the operator releasing the push-button 95 or by thecounterweight 17, striking against and opening stop-motion switch 80.When it is desired to move the curtain 12 in the opposite direction, theoperator will press the button 92. A circuit will then be closed throughconductor 126 and solenoid-winding 121 otelectromagnetic relay 120. Thestationary contacts 124 and 125 will then be connected by contact-plate123, and a circuit will be completed through the winding of the magnetmember of the clutch 60 and through the brake-magnets 7 5 and 75. Thisclutch 60 is on the shaft 40, and is therefore rotated in the oppositedirection and will cause the chain 17 and its connected parts to bedriven in the opposite direction to that previously described. Thismovement will be continued until the current through the clutch 00 andthe brakes is discontinued either by releasing the push-button 92 or bythe counterweight 17 striking the sto -motion switch 80, which is incircuit wit the winding of clutch 60 and which is at the other end ofits path of travel. These operations can be repeated indefinitelywithoutstopping the motor 20.

designates a relay, which may be controlled by push-button 95 toenergize clutch 60. 14:0 designates an electromagnetic relay, which maybe controlled ly push-button 02 to energize clutch 60. designates anelectromagnetic relay which may be controlled ly push-button 95" toenergize clutch 60, and designates an clectromagnet-relay which may becontrolled by push-button 92" to energize clutch 60. It is evident thatan y desired number of units may be eontrolled 1y this system, and 1have selected three to illustrate this use.

The speed of the motor 20 may be variel at will, and it is oft-endesirable to have the motor running at a slow speed for the purpose ofobtaining certain eil'ects with dropcurtains. shafts 30 and 10 may runat ditl'crcnt speeds, so that the curtains maybe raised at one rate ofspeed and lowered at another rate or speed.

This invention has been shown in combination with the curtains in atheater, because this is one of its most advantageous uses. 1t may,however, be arranged to actuate other movable bodiessuch, for example,as dumbwaiters. In fact, it is applicable to nearly any case where it isdesired to control, both manually and automatically, a plurality ofparts which are to be moved in opposite directions from one commonsource'of motive power, and therefore 1 do not wish to limit myself tothe specific use to which it is shown applied in this application.

1t may be seen that a bar 9 1 between each pair of push-buttons makes itimpossible to energize the magnet member of but one of each pairofmagnetic clutches at the same i have already shown that the I time.

This s' a desirable feature, as it makes it impossible ror an operatorto press two buttons at once which might otherwise interfere with eachother.

While I have shown one brake for the secondary member of each clutch, itis evident that it is not necessary to have more than one brake for eachpair of clutches.

What I claim is- 1. A pair of shafts driven in opposite directions, amagnetic clutch on each of said shafts, a movable member associated withthe clutches and arranged to be moved by one shaft hen one of theclutches is energized and by the other shaft w hen the other clutch isenergized, and means for holding the movable member w hen neither of theclutches is energized.

2. A pair of driven shafts, a magnetic clutch for each of said shafts, aportion of each of said clutches being constructed to form achain-groove, and a driving-chain associated ith the clutches andarranged to be moved in one direction w hen one clutch is energized andin the opposite direction when the other clutch is energized.

3. A pair of shafts driven in opposite directions, a magnetic clutch oneach of said shafts, both of said clutches being construct ed to form achain-groove on their outer peripheries, and a driving-chain arranged totake into the chain-grooves on the clutches and to be moved by one shaftwhen one of the clutches is energized and by the other shaft when theother clutch is energized.

4. A pair of shafts driven in opposite directions, a magnetic clutch oneach of said shafts, a movable member associated ti ith the clutches andarranged to be moved by one shaft when one of the clutches is energizedand by the other shaft w hen the other clutch is energized, a brake forholding the movable member, and means for releasing the brake wheneither of the clutches is energized.

5. A pair of shafts driven in opposite directions, a magnetic clutch oneach of said shafts, a movable member associated with the clutches andarranged to be moved by one shaft when one of the clutches is energizedand by the other shaft when tl e other clutch is energized, a brake forholding the movable member, electromagnetic means for releasing thebrake when either of the clutches is energized, circuits for theclutches and the brake-releasing means, and a manually-operated switchfor controlling the'circults.

6. A pair of shafts driven in opposite directions, a magnetic clutch oneach of said shafts, a movable member associated with the clutches andarranged to be moved by one shaft w hen one of tleclutcles is energizedand by the other shaft w hen the other clutch is energized, a brake forholding the movable member, electromagnetic means for releasing th ebrake it hen either of th e clutches is energized, circuits for theclutches and the brakereleasing means, a manually-op erated switch forcontrolling the circuits, and means in said sw itch for preventing theenergization of but one of the clutches at the same time.

7. An electric motor, a pair of shafts connected to be driven thereby, amagnetic clutch for each of said shafts, a movable member associatedwith the clutches and arranged to be moved in one direction by one shaftwhen one of the clutches is energized and by the other shaft when theother clutch is energized, a brake for holding the movable member,electromagnetic means for releasing the brake w hen either of theclutches is energized circuits for the clutches and the brakereleasingmeans, a' manually-o erated switch for controlling the circuits, anmeans in said s itch for preventing the energization of but one of theclutches at the same time.

8. Adriven shaft, a magnetic clutch, said clutch comprising a magnetmemberattached to the shaft and a secondary member loosely mounted uponthe shaft; a second driven shaft, asecond magnetic clutch comprising amagnet member attached to the second shaft and a secondary memberloosely mounted upon the second shaft; and a movable member associatedwith saidsecondary members and arranged to be moved in one directionwhen one of the clutches is energized, and in the opposite directionwhen the other clutch is energized.

9. A driven shaft, a magnetic clutch, said clutch comprising a magnetmember attached to the shaft and a secondary member loosely mounted uponthe shaft; a second driven shaft, a second magnetic clutch comprising amagnetic member attached to the second shaft, and a secondary memberloosely mounted upon the second shaft; a brake for each of the secondarymembers and means for releasing both of said brakes when either of theclutches is energized.

10. A driven shaft, a magnetic clutch, said clutch comprising a magnetmember attached to the shaft and a secondary member loosely mounted uponthe shaft, and a winding; a second driven shaft, a second magneticclutch comprising a magnet member attached to the second shaft and asecondary member loosely mounted upon the second shaft, and a winding abrake for each of the secondary members, an electromagnet for each brakearranged to release said brakes, and .means for energizingbothbrake-magnets and either of the clutch-windings.

11. A driven shaft, a magnetic clutch, said clutch comprising a magnetmember attached tothe shaft and a secondary member loosely mounted uponthe shaft, and a winding; a second driven shaft, a second magneticclutch comprising a magnet member attached to "the second shaft and asecondary member loosely mounted upon the second shaft, and a winding; abrake for each of the secondary members, an elec romagnet for each brakearranged to release said brakes, circuits for the clutch-windings andthe brake-magnets, a manually-operated switch insaid circuits arrangedto control the energization of both brake-magnets and eitherof theclutch-windings.

12. An electric motor, a pair of shafts connected to be driven thereby,a magnetic clutch onone of said shafts, said clutch comprising a magnetmember attached to the shaft, a secondary member loosely mounted uponthe shaft, and awinding a second magnetic clutch on the other ofsaidshafts, said second clutch comprising a magnet member attached to thesecond shaft, a secondaiy member loosely mounted upon the second shaft,and a winding; a brake for each of the secondary members, anelectromagnet for each brake arranged to release said brakes, circuitsfor the clutch-windings and the brake-magnets, a manually-operatedswitch in said circuits arranged to control the energization of bothbrake-ma nets and either of the clutch-windings, an vmeans in saidswitchfor preventlng the energization of but one of the clutch-windings at thesame time.

' 13. A pair of shafts driven in opposite directions, a plurality ofpairs of magnetic clutches .on said shafts, one ofeach pair of clutchesbeing on one shaft and the other clutch of each pair being on the othershaft, a movable member associated with each pair of clutches andarranged to be moved by one shaft when one of its associated clutches isener ized and by the other clutch when the other of its associatedclutches is energized.

14. A pair of shafts driven in opposite directions, a plurality of pairsof magnetic clutches on said shafts, one of each pair of clutches beingon one shaft and the other clutch of each pair being on the other shaft,a movable member associated with each pair of clutches and arranged tobe moved by one shaft when one of its associated clutches is energizedand by the other clutch when the other of its associated clutches isener 'zed, a brake for holding each of the mova le members and means forreleasing the brake for any of the movable members when either of itsassociated clutches is energized.

15. A pair of shafts driven in opposite directions, a plurality of pairsof magnetic clutches on said shafts, one of each pair of clutches beingon one shaft and the other clutch of each air being on the other shaft,a movable mem er associated with each pair of clutches and arranged tobe moved by one shaft when one of its associated clutches is energizedand by the other clutch when the bers, electromagnetic means forreleasing the brake for any of the movable members when either of itsassociated clutches is ener ized, circuits for the clutches and the brare-releasing means, and a manually-operated switch for controlling thecircuits. 4

16. A pair of shafts driven in opposite directions, a plurality of pairsof magnetic clutches on said shafts, one of each pair of clutches beingon one shaft and the other clutch of each pair being on the other shaft,a movable member associated with each pair of clutches and arranged tobe moved by'one shaft when one of its associated clutches is energizedand by the other shaft when the other of itsassociated clutches isenergized, a brake for holding each of the movable members,electromagnetic means for releasing the brake for any of the movablemembers when either of its associated clutches is ener ized, circuitsfor the clutches and thebra e-releasing means, a manually-operatedswitch for controlling the circuits and means for preventing theenergization of but one of each pair of clutches at the same time.

17. An electric motor, a air of shafts connected to be driven there y, alurality of pairs of magnetic clutches on sai shafts, one of each andthe other clutch of each pair being on the other shaft, a movable memberassociated with each pair of clutches and arranged to be moved by oneshaft when one of its associated clutches is energized, and by the othershaft when the other of its associated clutches is energized, a brakefor holding each of the movable members, a releasingmagnet for eachbrake, circuits for 'the clutclies and the brake-magnets, a manuallyoperated switch in the circuits arranged to control the energizationof the clutches and brake-magnets, and means in said switch forpreventing the energization of .but one of each pair of clutches at thesame time.

18. A driven shaft, a magnetic clutch. said clutch c'omprising a magnetmember attached to the shaft, and a secondary member loosely mountedupon the shaft; a second driven shaft, a second magnetic clutchcomprisin a magnetic member attached to the secon shaft, and a secondarymember loosel mounted upon the second shaft; a mova le member,intermediate mechanism associating the movable member with both of saidclutches and arranged to cause the movable member to be moved-in onedirection when one clutch is energized, and in the opposite directionwhen the other clutch is energized.

19. A pair of driven shafts, a plurality of pairs of magnetic clutcheson said shafts, one of each pair of clutches being on one shaft and theother clutch of each pair being on the other shaft, a plurality ofmovable bodies, intermediate mechanism associating one of air ofclutches being on one shaft each of said movable bodies with each pairof clutches, and so arranged that the movable bodiesare moved by oneshaft when one of its associated clutches is energized, and by the othershaft When the other of its associ ated clutches is energized. 20. Anelectric motor, a pair of shafts connected to be driven thereby, aplurality of pairs of magnetic clutches on said shafts, one of each pairof clutches being on one shaft and the other clutch of each pair beingon the other shaft, each of said clutches comprising a magnet memberattached to its respective shaft, a secondary member loosely mounted uon its shaft, and a winding; a plurality 0 movable bodies, intermediatemechanism associating each of the movable bodies with the secondarymembers of one pair of clutches, a brake for each of the secondarymembers, an electromagnet for each brake arranged to release saidbrakes, circuits for the clutch-windings and the brake-magnets, amanually-operated switch in the circuits arranged to control theenergization of the clutch-windings and the brake-magnets, and means insaid switch for reventing the energization of but one of tfieclutch-windings of each pair of clutches at the same time.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

THEODOR ESKILSSON Witnesses: I

JosEPH E. CAVANAUGI'I, ELLA TUCH.

